This famous old bodega, named after its famous Manzanilla La Gitana (The Gypsy) and formerly known as Vinicola Hidalgo (to avoid confusion with Emilio Hidalgo in Jerez), was established in 1792 at Sanlucar de la Barrameda. Land was bought where the bodega now stands, and in 1808 a small bodega was bought. Throughout the XIX C the company grew into one of the most important in the area, winning awards for its exports.
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| Javier Hidalgo with a venencia |
The firm is still family owned, and currently run by Javier Hidalgo of the 6th generation, which makes it one of very few remaining independents. The wines are made in the old fashioned way from grapes supplied by the firm's own 200 hectares of vineyards in the prestigious areas of Miraflores and Balbaina including the charming Vina El Cuadrado with its Caserio (vineyard house/bodega). The family has always been exceptionally concerned with the environment and wildlife - Sanlucar is right beside the Coto Donana, a wonderful wildlife reserve.
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| Caserio el Cuadrado (foto:juntadeandalucia) |
In recent years they have diversified into La Gitana Restaurants and bars, as well as purchasing a bodega in the Rioja (formerly Montecillo - The wine is now called Marques de Arviza).A wide range of products is available from Hidalgo. Apart from Sherry, they make Brandy, Vinegar, Ponche and table wine. Their most important Sherries are:
Manzanilla:
La Gitana and the new but very hard to obtain (only 300 cases made) Manzanilla En Rama (more about En Rama anon); there is also a fabulous Manzanilla Pasada Pastrana.
The Premium Range:
Oloroso Faraon; Amontillado Napoleon; Cream Alameda; PX Triana.
The Vinos Viejos:
Amontillado, Palo Cortado and Oloroso Viejo; Palo Cortado Wellington (a donation is made to the Spanish Ornithological Society for the protection of the Iberian Imperial Eagle with the sale of every bottle).
Visits:
Visitors welcome, just phone the bodega to arrange.
Contact:
Banda de Playa, 42
11540 Sanlucar de la Barrameda, Cadiz, Spain
Tel: (0034) 956 385 304
bodegashidalgo@lagitana.es
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